Frameless storage enclosure

ABSTRACT

A frameless storage enclosure having opposed pairs of integrally interconnected walls to provide a pod forming a sealed storage compartment for receiving articles. The front wall has an access opening being connected to a door being moveable from a position closing said access opening to an upper secured position to provide access through the access opening. The weight of the articles in the storage compartment is substantially carried on the support surface on which the enclosure rests during use. The configuration of the storage container is established by suspension cords connected between an upper portion of the storage enclosure and structural elements above the enclosure. An air ventilation compartment receives a removable filter to provide ventilation into the storage compartment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates in general to storage enclosures and more particularly, to a frameless storage enclosure being suspended from above while being positioned on a support surface.

2. Summary of the Prior Art

In the past, many designs for storage containers have been developed for storing articles over a period of time. Such containers have been in the form of rigid trunks, hanging wardrobe units, canvas lockers, and portable closets, among many storage structures. It has been popular to construct a storage unit from flexible or collapsible material that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and capable of being folded into a compact shape when not in use as compared to enclosures formed from rigid members.

Known containers employing collapsible sidewalls and other structural members suffer from several shortcomings, including the fact that present designs require rigid structural support frames. Examples of containers using collapsible walls and the like in conjunction with rigid internal frames are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,629,342 to N. M. Robert and U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,490 to J. Liao. The use of frames, such as in the foregoing patents, not only increases the cost and weight of the container, but severely limits the adaptability of the enclosure to various configurations of spaces in which the unit is intended to be used for storage. For example, containers requiring frames may not be advantageously for use in all areas of an attic where a sloping roof and rafters are present. In addition, the presence of framing members interferes with the convenience and efficiency of the unit to be readily collapsed into a knock-down mode for transport and storage of the container when not in use. The prior technique of using a rigid frame either requires removal to be collapsed or otherwise limits the degree of compactness when the frame remains in the unit. Another problem associated with known storage units is that they provide little or no air flow along with a highly desirable prevention of insect infestation and the introduction of dust to the items in storage in the unit. For these reasons, it is to provide an improved and inexpensive frameless storage container having the capability of effectively storing items in a sealed environment within a range of various space configurations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an objective of this invention to provide an improved frameless storage enclosure constructed from an inexpensive collapsible material. The enclosure herein disclosed is capable of storing articles of considerable weight because it rests on a support surface. The configuration of the collapsible members of the invention is defined by suspending the top of the unit from structural elements, such as rafters, beams, ceilings, and the like. The shape of the storage unit herein described in its erected form can be adjusted for various volumetric capacities and can easily be modified in shape for given conditions from a fully erected form or to other modified forms to be accommodated in irregular spaces, such as beneath sloped roofs, ceilings, walkways, or other space demands. The frameless storage enclosure herein provides an effective sealed environment for the stored items, but is provided with an effective access means for convenient opening and closing of storage interior as needed in use. The invention limits damage from water and also provides ample air circulation to the items being stored by an improved technique preventing the introduction of dust and insects.

The invention can accommodate a wide range of personal and business items, files, records, and collectibles among many articles that require storage for personal or business reasons. The frameless enclosure of the application can be readily used for storage at almost any location where storage of articles is desired, such as, but not limited to attics, basements, warehouses, offices, plants, garages, carports, or storage facilities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front and side of the frameless storage enclosure of the invention showing the access door in a closed configuration;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the front of the storage enclosure of FIG. 1 with the access door in an opened configuration;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view, with the access door removed, of the storage enclosure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the storage enclosure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial side elevational view showing an air ventilation pocket;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view showing a modified shape of the storage enclosure underneath a sloped upper support surface; and

FIG. 7 is a partial elevational view, with parts in section, of a ventilation pocket.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, there is illustrated the frameless storage enclosure of the invention shown in its fully erected configuration for maximum volumetric storage capacity and being generally designated by reference numeral 2. In its fully erected form, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, the storage enclosure has six parallel rectangular walls 4 forming a cuboid shape to define an interior storage compartment or space 4 a. The enclosure 2 may be formed with sides having dimensions to form a cubical shape or because of its unique features, the enclosure 2 may be erected into a range of other configurations, including, but not limited to, being rhombohedral and other many shape dependent on encountered conditions. In FIG. 1, the frameless storage enclosure 2 is shown having six integral walls 6 to form spaced side panels 8, front panel 10, bottom wall 12, rear panel 14, and top wall 16.

The walls 6 are preferably formed from a suitably strong and collapsible material to seal the interior and define an exterior pod creating internal storage compartment 4 a for effective storage of articles. Although not intended to be so limited, an example of a suitable material for walls 6 is a woven polypropylene (PP) interconnected to form a sealed outer envelope or pod around the storage compartment 4 a. The bottom wall 12 is designed to rest on a lower support surface 12 a (FIG. 3), such as a floor, shelf, patio, or any other support surface on which the enclosure 2 is positioned. The support surface 12 a is intended to bear substantially the entire weight of the enclosure 2 and its contents when in an erected storage mode in accordance with the invention.

An access opening 20 is cut out of the front panel 14 to provide access in and out of storage compartment 4 a. The access opening 20 is selectively covered by a door 22 formed from a suitable plastic and the like, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The door 22 is suitably affixed at its top portion 24 to a lower edge 26 of narrowed upper portion 28 of the front panel 10. A pair of separable zippers 30 extends from along the bottom and sides of door 22 to removeably attach the bottom 29 and side edges 29′ to the front panel 10. The lower portion 10 a of front panel 10 beneath the bottom of zippers 30 is elevated to act as a dam inhibiting the introduction of water and like of a predetermined depth into the storage compartment 4 a, if flooded conditions are present on support surface 12 a. The lower portion 10 a is sufficiently flexible to allow loading vehicles to freely move in and out of the enclosure when access door 22 is opened. When it is desired to fully open the door 22, both zippers 30 are unzipped up to the top portion 24 to allow separation of the bottom and side of the door 22. The door 22 can be rolled up and secured at an upper stowed position by a hanging strap 32 attached by stitching to top wall 16 as seen in FIG. 2. The strap 32 is extended around the door 22 in a rolled up configuration and is secured to a tab 34. The surfaces of strap 32 and tab 34 are provided with corresponding interlocking loops and hooks, such as a material sold under the trademark VELCRO.

As seen in FIGS. 1-4, four hanging flaps 40 are pivotally affixed by a suitable technique adjacent the corners 42 of the storage enclosure 2 and may be oriented in desired plane dependent on the angular orientation of hanging cords 44. The hanging cords 44 are respectively affixed to a plurality of reinforced eyelets 46 arranged in spaced relationship along strips 40 for providing a wide range of hanging options dependent on the overhead structure of the space in which the storage enclosure 2 is to be situated. Although hanging cords 44 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as being attached to each eyelet 46, it is within the scope of the invention to use selected eyelets 46 for suspension, such as, for example, to two eyelets 46 on a pair opposed strips 40. As further seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hanging cords 46 may be vertically oriented such as cord 44 a in FIGS. 1 and 2 or oriented at any angle less than vertical, such as shown by cord 44 b. The upper ends (not shown) of the cords 44 are suspended on mechanical elements (not shown) attached to structure above the storage enclosure 2 in which it is positioned. The cords 44 can be suspended on any structure, such as to rafters, beams, ceilings, and other members. The mechanical elements (not shown) may comprise brackets, threaded hooks, loops, or other suitable attachment elements. The function of the hanging cords 44 is to support the frameless enclosure 2 and erect and maintain it in its storage configuration creating storage compartment space 4 a. The length, angle, and position of the hanging cords 44 define the shape of the frameless storage enclosure 2 to meet a range of configurations from the fully erected shape in FIG. 1 to any modified shape, such as shown in FIG. 6 to accommodate its positioning under sloped roof 50 and the like. The dimensions of the height, width and length of the sides 6 may be varied in manufacture of the enclosure 2 to modify its volumetric capacity and the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 the ventilation filter pocket 60 of the invention is best shown. The filter pocket 60 may be situated at least two locations on the enclosure 2 to create an air flow, such as on front panel 10 and side panel 8. As seen in FIGS. 1-3, 5 and 6 the filter pockets 60 are selectively provided in the side panels 8, front panels 10 and rear panel (not shown.) at a particular position to provide sufficient air flow interiorly through the enclosure. The filter pocket 60 is attached to the side panels 8, front panel 10, and rear panel 14 overlying hole 62 (FIG. 7) passing through either of the panels 8, 10, or 14 as previously described. The pocket 60 has a flat outer layer 64 having bottom and side edge portions 66 attached to side panel 8 and forming a filter receiving compartment 68. The layer 64 has an exterior hole 70 creating an air flow in conjunction with hole 62. A conventional filter 80 is removable and insertable into the compartment 68 being interposed between holes 62 and hole 70. The filter 80 is of a known material and design that permits air flow and inhibits the passage of dust and insects into storage compartment 4 a. The layer 64 creates an opening 82 with the wall 4 at the tope of pocket 60 to allow the insertion and removal of filter 80. A pivotal flap 84 is connected to the pocket 60 and overlays the pocket to close the opening 82 or open flap 84 for to insert or remove filter 80. A Velcro tab 86 may be used to secure the flap 84 in its closed position.

An identification pocket 90 is attached to front wall 10 to allow insertion of a written or pictorial sheet designation of the items being stored in the frameless storage enclosure 2 for informational purposes. The front wall 92 of the identification pocket 90 is preferably transparent to view the identification sheet within the pocket 90. The structure of pocket 90 generally corresponds to filter pocket 60, except for its intended contents and absence of flow-through holes. 

1. A frameless storage enclosure for being supported on a support surface beneath upper structural elements comprising a plurality of integrally connected collapsible walls, said walls being capable of assuming an erected configuration to create a shell to define an interior storage compartment for receiving articles, said plurality of integrally connected walls having a lower surface for resting on the support surface for sole support of the articles, and said plurality of integrally connected walls further having suspension means attached to the structural element for creating said erected configuration.
 2. The frameless storage enclosure according to claim 1 wherein the suspension means includes a plurality of cords attached to at least one of said same of said plurality of integrally connected walls.
 3. The frameless storage enclosure according to claim 2 wherein said plurality of integrally connected collapsible walls includes three pairs of opposed walls.
 4. The frameless storage enclosure according to claim 3 wherein said three pairs of opposed walls form a bottom wall forming said lower surface, a top wall, a pair of side panels, a front panel and a rear panel.
 5. The frameless storage enclosure according to claim 4 wherein said suspension means includes a plurality of flaps attached to an upper portion of said three pairs of opposed walls.
 6. The frameless storage enclosure according to claim 5 wherein said cords are attached to selected ones of said plurality of flaps.
 7. The frameless storage enclosure according to claim 5 wherein said front panel includes an access opening, said access opening having a door being releasably attached to said front panel to cover said access opening.
 8. The frameless storage enclosure according to claim 2 wherein said front door includes opposed edges, a lower edge and an upper portion, said door being releasably affixed to said front panel at said lower edge and to said side edges.
 9. The frameless storage enclosure according to claim 8 wherein said door is fixedly attached to said upper edge, said door being moveable to a open position adjacent to said upper edge, securement means positioned adjacent to said upper edge to retain said door above said access opening in an opened configuration of said door.
 10. The frameless storage enclosure according to claim 7 wherein said door is releasably connected to a portion of said front panel at a lower edge above the support surface, said lower portion of said front panel having an elevated configuration beneath said lower edge for preventing an introduction of liquid of a predetermined height on the support surface into said storage compartment.
 11. The frameless storage enclosure according to claim 1 wherein a portion of said plurality of walls include an air ventilation opening.
 12. The frameless storage enclosure according to claim 11 wherein a respective air ventilation means is positioned adjacent to said ventilation opening, said air ventilation means having filter means for permitting the flow of air into said storage compartment, said filter further preventing the passage of dust and insects.
 13. The frameless storage enclosure according to claim 12 wherein said air ventilation means includes a filter compartment for receiving said filter in alignment with said ventilation opening, said air ventilation means includes a filter opening for inserting and removing said filters from said filter compartment.
 14. The frameless storage enclosure according to claim 13 wherein said air ventilation means further includes flap means for selectively closing and opening said filter opening.
 15. The frameless storage enclosure according to claim 1 wherein said suspension means includes means of the shape of said erected configuration. 